RE: U.S. Army to get new hybrid blimps for Afghanistan
oh, I'd imagine these will become much more economical and
practical as materials pick up to properly store the hydrogen/helium.
Problem with helium is, we have a finite supply, its only made in
stars or as a by product of the fusion industry, which, we're just not
quite there yet. Hydrogen is in great abundance. Both are so small,
any material will leak them over a fairly quick period of time unless
designed properly (read: expensive). The use of hydrogen
bypasses the waste of helium due to leakage and expense relative to
constraint on market supply, as well as provides a fuel for the unit
itself while in flight, if using an onboard fuel cell or hydrogen burning
ICE.
Nano-materials capable of much tighter weave patterns would
drastically cut the cost of these, but, unfortunately, its probably a
decade away before we start to see those on a more mass produced
level.
